Rhino made of 1,200 cornflowers comes out of the blue for Wolverhampton florist
A florist believes he has found the key to animal magic after completing an ambitious project where he made a baby rhino from cornflowers.
Tettenhall florist Paul Mincher used 1,200 of the blue flowers – with the proper botanical name of centaurea cyanus – to make the rhino for a private business event later this year.
"I have made various different things from flowers in the past for private events, it is a challenge which I enjoy," said Mr Mincher, who owns Buds of Tettenhall on Lower Street.
"Animals can be tricky but after this I think I have cracked it.
"I won't share my secret but I am confident that I could make any animal after this.
"If I can see it, I know that I can do it," he said.
Mr Mincher, 42, said that he meticulously planned the making of the rhino, which in turn made the whole challenge easier to complete.
After a week planning how he would complete the structure, he spent just one day modelling the flowers and putting the whole together.
The life-size model stands at three foot tall and is the biggest specialist piece that Paul has made.
He said: "This is huge compared to what I would normally do.
"I planned it thoroughly so that when I came to actually making it, it was no trouble.
"I knew what I wanted to do and I am sure people will be blown away when they see it."
Buds of Tettenhall, a family business in its first two years of trading, has thrived since its opening, selling flowers direct from Holland and floral tributes for all kinds of occasions.
Mr Mincher said: "We have really settled down well and things are going great for the store.
"We have a lot of regular customers from the local area, as well as good business contacts.
"These are the customers who usually provide the more elaborate challenges such as the rhino.
"As well as the regular walk-in customers, we have over 1,000 fans on Facebook."
Mr Mincher, a lifelong Wolves fan, used to work with the club as a community coach, giving football lessons to school children in the city.
His work over the years has often been inspired by the club, including making a replica of Molineux and a tribute to Sir Jack Hayward.
After the Wolves hero died in January, he produced some wonderful floral creations.
The replica spitfire which Paul made using white gypsophila flowers, a selection of grasses and moss went on display at the Molineux reception, in honour of the former owner's RAF history.
